Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Asheville, NC

Lake Powhatan Campground's pet-friendly sites accommodate dogs throughout its tent and RV camping areas, with no additional pet fees charged. Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Asheville maintain standard leash requirements, typically 6-foot maximum length, with pets never left unattended. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park permits pets at all tent and RV sites along the French Broad River, while Asheville East KOA welcomes pets in select cabin options in addition to all standard campsites. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground maintains designated pet-friendly sites with easy access to walking areas. Campfire Lodgings extends pet accommodations to its cabins, yurts, and glamping options. The campgrounds typically limit pets to two per site, though some locations may allow a third pet with prior approval. Highway noise at Wilson's Riverfront makes it less ideal for noise-sensitive pets, particularly in non-riverside sites.

The French Broad River Greenway provides an excellent walking path for leashed dogs, running directly through Wilson's Riverfront RV Park and connecting to nearby parks. Bear Creek RV Park offers convenient pet walking areas with waste stations scattered throughout the grounds. Most campgrounds near Asheville provide access to nearby hiking trails in Pisgah National Forest, though pets must remain leashed on all trails. Davidson River Campground connects to several pet-friendly hiking paths with river access points where dogs can cool off. Campgrounds closer to downtown Asheville offer quick access to the city's dog-friendly breweries and restaurant patios. Veterinary services are available within 15 minutes of most campgrounds, with emergency clinics in Asheville proper. Seasonal considerations include checking for ticks after hiking and bringing appropriate cooling gear during summer months when temperatures can reach the 90s.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Asheville, North Carolina (353)

    1. Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    62 Reviews
    Enka, NC
    5 miles
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $37 - $135 / night

    "Small lake on site. Several hiking trails nearby. You can hike a trail into the NC Arboretum. Very near Asheville and Biltmore Estates. Tent sites, RV sites and Glamping sites."

    "The sites are spacious and well spaced, offering more privacy than many locations. The showers and bathrooms were very clean. There are numerous hikes that are on the grounds or just outside."

    2. Asheville East KOA

    52 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-3121

    $50 / night

    "It’s accessibility to Asheville is great, but the site itself is clean, with tidy grounds and a spotless bathroom (didn’t use showers). Plenty of places to walk and pet friendly."

    "It’s close to downtown Asheville and Black Mountain. Great place to bring kids and dogs!"

    3. Davidson River Campground

    83 Reviews
    Pisgah Forest, NC
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 785-5337

    $37 - $84 / night

    "We wanted a last minute, quick drive from Asheville and got lucky with a spot! It was a double which we didn’t need but could see really enjoying with some friends and family."

    "Once again, interested in checking out as many waterfalls and cascades we could locate, the water flow will be so much more dramatic amidst heavy rainfall."

    4. Mount Pisgah Campground

    40 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 648-2644

    $30 / night

    "This campground is conveniently located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive from Asheville is stunning, taking you through several tunnels."

    "We decided to escape the heat and head for one of the “cooler” campgrounds in western North Carolina for a weekend. Mt Pisgah Campground is at an elevation of roughly 5300’."

    5. Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground

    28 Reviews
    Swannanoa, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 686-4258

    $75 - $200 / night

    "Tucked away into the mountains not far from the interstate, super quiet and nicely taken care of."

    "At the top of the first hill is a dog park. Keep going up and there is another neighborhood at the top and here is where you get the views."

    6. North Mills River

    26 Reviews
    Mills River, NC
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 552-8040

    $31 - $62 / night

    "Good location. Close to asheville and hiking"

    "I love the location for proximity to both Brevard and Asheville. The sites vary in their ability to accommodate larger rigs, so be mindful of that."

    7. Rutledge Lake RV Resort

    19 Reviews
    Fletcher, NC
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 654-7873

    "Great location. Very easy to get to all things Asheville. 

    Clean, nice pool.

    Quiet Little Park. Emphasis on little."

    "we stayed here 2 nights to experience Asheville.  we toy a vehcilce so driving the 15 minutes into town wasn't a big deal for us.  its affordable and they are helpful getting you into your spots. "

    8. Asheville West KOA

    24 Reviews
    Candler, NC
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 665-7015

    "The Asheville KOA is very pet and RV friendly. There are a number of walking trails of easy to moderate difficulty that run throughout the property."

    "Other than rain almost every day, we enjoyed this spot while checking out Asheville and Biltmore Estate. The campground is very wooded, allowing for shady space. The showers were decently clean."

    9. Wilson's Riverfront RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Asheville, NC
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 254-4676

    "After spending two nights here, I love this place and will definitely stay here again if we come back to Asheville."

    "This is a basic campground on the French broad river in Asheville nc. The tent site is nice."

    10. Campfire Lodgings

    15 Reviews
    Weaverville, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 658-8012

    "Great park, pet friendly and great views! 30 minutes from the Biltmore."

    "The staff keep the location very tidy. My campsite was sufficiently distant from the more active RV area to feel removed. Situated in the woods on top of a mountain."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Asheville, NC

2257 Reviews of 353 Asheville Campgrounds


  • Erin D.
    Aug. 8, 2019

    Indian Creek Campground

    Creekside Camping

    Indian Creek offers the most relaxing creekside camping in North Carolina.

    Every campsite is lush with greenery, private and well maintained after each occupancy. The bathhouse is the cleanest I have found and the campsite store carries all of your forgotten necessities, and more!

    My husband and I love coming back to this campground, because how of well we and our kids sleep! The sound of the creek at night melts all of your worries away and takes you off to peaceful slumber.

    This campground is always in rotation for a visit.

  • J
    Sep. 5, 2019

    Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina

    Easily accessible campground near Asheville NC

    A smaller campsite but very well organized and maintained. Small lake on site. Several hiking trails nearby. You can hike a trail into the NC Arboretum. Very near Asheville and Biltmore Estates. Tent sites, RV sites and Glamping sites. Clean bathrooms and properly supervised. A hidden gem minutes from Asheville

  • Kat J.
    Jul. 24, 2020

    Montreat Family Campground

    Lucky #13

    This place is a gem! Perfect for a quick getaway from Asheville. We chose campsite 13 and were so happy with it. You’ll feel like you have the forest to yourself, with tons of pretty plants all around you.

    It’s down a short path (a bit tricky to navigate) and tucked away between the creek and small stream. Because of the short walk, maybe not great if you are bringing a lot of gear.

    13 is also right next to a bathhouse, ranger station (firewood), and a playground (while still being tucked away down the path). It has a gravel tent pad, picnic table, grill, and fire pit.

  • J
    Sep. 3, 2023

    Paradise Ridge Permaculture

    Peaceful and serene escape

    This location was amazing. We couldn’t have been happier with a spot. The host was extremely gracious, there is an outdoor shower, the camp fire setup is awesome, and the animals are friendly. It is easy to find and you’re only 20-ish minutes from Asheville. We’ll certainly be back!

  • Max O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Pisgah National Forest Wash Creek Horse Camp

    Rustic no cell service

    bit of a drive through the forest to get here, but great spots if you're looking to get away from civilization. Ended up locking my keys in the car and had to walk 10 miles back towards town to call AAA, but other than that loved this spot! once you arrive to the campground coming from Asheville, there will be parking on the left a road on the right, and just past this road is a big campground that can fit bigger rvs, or if you want the feel of a community campground this is for you. If you want your own spot along the river take the road on your right hand side and the individual sites are right there along the road. Very nice spots, not super close to each other.

  • Jason F.
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Asheville West KOA

    Far enough away to feel like camping and still close to the city

    The Asheville KOA is very pet and RV friendly. There are a number of walking trails of easy to moderate difficulty that run throughout the property. The dog park is a great place to let the pups off of the leashes for a bit. Staff pickup trash daily between 10-11AM at your site, but dumpsters are easily accessible.

    We camped here in our 22' travel trailer. The back in sites are mostly level with a mix of dirt and gravel. If you're looking for a sunny spot, request one of the even-numbered back-ins. If you would prefer to be mostly in the shade, go for an odd-numbered spot. 20/30/50 amp electric, cable, water and sewer were easily accessible at each site. Camp sites are not very large, so be mindful of volume and lights with respect to your neighbors.

  • Lindsay W.
    Nov. 24, 2020

    Davidson River Campground

    Great Time!

    We wanted a last minute, quick drive from Asheville and got lucky with a spot! It was a double which we didn’t need but could see really enjoying with some friends and family. Girls loved being near the water. It was fairly quiet and think would be fun for kids to play post covid. Quick ride to some great hiking! I would have liked a little more foliage around our spot especially as it was at the turn for the loop (56). We will be back!

  • Lori H.
    Oct. 26, 2018

    Catawba Falls Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED 2025

    Catawba Camping

    The sites in this family campground are right on top of each other, so you will not have privacy! The bathhouse was not good, and pretty far away, and there was only one for the entire property. They have some cabins and a tiny house that you can rent, those looked cool. The owner is super nice, and the sites are right on the creek, so you hear the running water all night so that is really nice, and you are close to Black Mountain, Montreat, and not too far from Asheville.

  • C
    Mar. 29, 2023

    Four Paws Kingdom Campground & Dog Retreat

    Adult and Dog campground wonder

    From the moment we arrived at the campground the manager "Larry"  ( a workamper) signed us in, show us our site on Wagging Tail Dr.  We arrived on their opening weekend the Owners provided BBQ meal and live music "Jose Wales" band.   It was a wonderful time.  As for the "Dog Retreat part - 18 acres of wonder open areas fenced in to keep you furry friends from running away, there is agility park, puppy park, the main dog park, a private park (single or you can invite), a Lure run, a Ball Park, and a Pond for those watery dogs.

    Price for Fire wood - a little expensive and 10 lbs of Ice was reasonable.  There are fully fenced sites, a couple of sites with a fenced area.  The larges rig I saw in there was a Solitude at  38 ft.

    Over all, if you want the peace and quiet in the North Carolina foot hills with your furry friend and have a good time.  This is the place to be.

    One other note:  It is the only park in NC that is a dedicated dog campground.


Guide to Asheville

Lake Powhatan Campground sits at an elevation of around 2,200 feet within the Pisgah National Forest, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. The campground operates seasonally with most facilities open from spring through fall, though some loops close earlier in the season. Winter temperatures in this area typically range from 20-45°F while summer months can reach the upper 80s with afternoon thunderstorms common.

What to do

Hiking at Mount Pisgah Campground: Located at Milepost 408.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this campground offers direct access to multiple hiking trails. "A short hike up from the campground are amazing views of the Blue Ridge along with Mt. Pisgah Inn. A section of the MST is also a short hike away," notes Tia in her review of Mount Pisgah Campground.

Biking on nearby trails: North Mills River Campground connects to numerous mountain biking trails within Pisgah National Forest. A reviewer mentioned, "This is a great campsite if you like fishing! We stayed here and were close to some amazing spots to fish! The campsite was great, not very crowded," according to Natalie M. who enjoyed her stay at North Mills River.

Fishing in mountain streams: Davidson River Campground provides access to premiere trout fishing. Anna R. explains, "This campground has a great river to swim in and is close to Brevard and Asheville but reservations are recommended. This place is packed most all of the summer now so you don't want to show up without a spot."

Visit Biltmore Estate: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to the Biltmore Estate, just 15-30 minutes away. "Downtown Asheville is only 15 mins away," notes Phil L. about his stay at Lake Powhatan, making it ideal for cultural excursions.

What campers like

Mountain views: Campers particularly appreciate the sunset views at Campfire Lodgings. John G. notes, "The campground is situated on a mountainside overlooking the French Broad river. Most of the sites are for RVs but they do have an assortment of tent sites. The premium RV sites have the awesome views."

Private, wooded sites: Many visitors mention the privacy at Davidson River Campground, with one reviewer noting: "Our site was very spacious. We stayed in Late November/early December, so there weren't leaves on the trees but the site was still pretty private."

Water features: Several campgrounds offer riverside camping. According to Jonathan N., North Mills River has "a babbling river that runs through the center of campground," making it a favorite feature for many visitors.

Winter camping options: Some campgrounds remain open year-round. Julie T. reports about North Mills River: "We were the only campers there. It was very quiet. The stream ran right by the campsite so listening to the stream as we went to bed was wonderful."

What you should know

Highway noise concerns: Wilson's Riverfront RV Park experiences interstate noise, especially at non-riverside sites. "Interstate traffic was loud, WiFi wasn't strong enough to connect to, no amenities other than the bath houses," Vickie S. shares about her stay at Wilson's Riverfront RV Park.

Reservation timing: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "Book ahead-the guy said they'd been completely full since June," mentions Nancy in her review of Lake Powhatan Campground.

Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have spotty reception. One reviewer notes about Lake Powhatan that "it has the feel of being much further away - including no Verizon service."

Bear activity: Proper food storage is essential. "Keep all food secure in bear box provided at each site. Rangers patrol often so have always felt secure," advises Ulrich M. about Mount Pisgah Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Look for activity options: Asheville East KOA offers multiple activities for children. "Very large sites and the staff are very helpful. A lot of activities for everyone to enjoy. The lake sites are beautiful," according to Teresa S. who stayed at Asheville East KOA.

Consider bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely between campgrounds. One reviewer mentioned about Rutledge Lake RV Resort: "Bathrooms were always very clean, laundry room was spacious and clean, office staff was kind and helpful."

Plan for weather variation: Mountain weather can change rapidly. Jodie K. shares her experience at Mount Pisgah: "We came into this campground during a very bad storm, actually hurricane. Our stay was cold, very windy and wet!"

Check pet policies for family dogs: While most campgrounds are pet-friendly near Asheville, some have specific restrictions. As Julia M. notes about her experience at Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground: "There is a dog run area" which makes it convenient for families with pets.

Tips from RVers

Site size and levelness: Some RV sites require careful navigation. "The sites themselves vary in privacy and space but overall acceptable," notes a reviewer about Davidson River Campground.

Premium view sites: Consider paying extra for sites with views. At Mama Gertie's, "The 'pent house' sites up top have magnificent views," according to Barbara W., who appreciated the spectacular mountain panoramas.

Hookup availability: Check for seasonal limitations. "In addition, we found out after we arrived that due to the temps we were not supposed to use the water connections," shares Kayla about her winter stay at Rutledge Lake RV Resort.

Road access challenges: Mountain roads can be challenging for larger rigs. Julia M. notes about Mama Gertie's: "The roads are uphill and a little narrow, but nothing too difficult if you go slow. Our site was level so easy to pull up and set up smoothly."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Asheville, NC?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Asheville, NC is Lake Powhatan — National Forests In North Carolina with a 4.6-star rating from 62 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Asheville, NC?

TheDyrt.com has all 353 dog-friendly camping locations near Asheville, NC, with real photos and reviews from campers.